Govt trips up with activist

It would have been a satisfactory outcome for the Prayut Chan-o-cha government had there been no reports about Ekachai Hongkawan, a political activist, being taken on a “trip” by police to Chon Buri and Pattaya to “prevent him staging a protest” during the Asean Summit. The trip, which began on Nov 2, was revealed by political activist Anurak Jeantawanich and later picked up by a few media outlets.

During the trip, Mr Ekachai posted on Facebook pictures of himself in various locations — tourist destinations. After arriving home on Nov 4, he sarcastically provided more details about the whole journey.

This was not the first time Mr Ekachai, 42, has been taken sightseeing in what appears to be another blatant act of intimidation by the state.

In 2017, the activist was escorted by soldiers to Kanchanaburi on a five-day “holiday” as the nation was preparing for an important ceremony.

Although the Chon Buri and Pattaya trip, in which he was joined by members of a police officer’s family, did not appear as intimidatory as the one in 2017, it was still coercive in all its intent and a blemish on the country’s already poor human rights record.

This was also the first act of coercion against Mr Ekachai — known for his role in following up on the watch scandal involving Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon — since being assaulted on May 13 in an attack that left him seriously injured.

As well as Mr Ekachai, other political activists like Sirawith “Ja New” Seritiwat, and Mr Anurak himself have been victims of violence and intimidation while carrying out political campaigns over the past few years.

They were assaulted several times by unknown assailants, most of whom were never caught, while the masterminds were never identified by authorities who shamefully dragged their feet.

In response to the last attack that seriously injured Mr Sirawith on June 28, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit, other ministers and senior police officers vowed to catch those responsible.

These promises, like all the others, have evaporated with no progress having been made in cases which are highly likely to be politically motivated.

Mr Ekachai said on Facebook yesterday he believed the Pattaya-Chon Buri trip was likely staged because the government wanted to prevent him causing trouble during the summit — but he denied having such a plan.

If he wanted to make mischief the state had all the legal mechanisms to deal with him, but instead of observing the law, the police did otherwise.

The state had no justification in carrying out such a shameful act which, despite resulting in no bodily harm, still deprived Mr Ekachai of his freedom.

This was against the law and a gross violation of his human rights.

The government has boasted on several occasions that it came to power through democratic means, namely an election, but democracy involves more than that.

In a truly democratic system, there must be room for people to express different opinions in a peaceful way.

Attempts to silence someone by any means are not acceptable and it would be no surprise if this country’s ranking for human rights protection slips further. If it does, the government will only have itself to blame.

There must be room for people to express different opinions in a peaceful way.